USDA Details $503M In Funds To Improve Recreation, Conserve Forests

NORTH BEND, WA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend more than half a billion dollars to support projects to improve outdoor recreation conditions and conserve national forest lands across the nation, officials announced Monday.

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh traveled the Interstate 90 corridor Monday to deliver a speech near the picaresque Denny Creek and Franklin Falls trailheads, which are both part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. Bronaugh's office said that area received more than $14 million for improvements in the last fiscal year and can expect another $7.1 million this year to replace failing infrastructure and improve conditions for its more than 1.5 million annual visitors.

"Projects like the one here on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest have incredible impacts on how visitors experience their national forests and grasslands," Bronaugh said. "Even beyond improved access, facilities and infrastructure, these investments create economic opportunity and good jobs where projects like this have the most impact."

The Great American Outdoors Act divides funding into two categories: the Legacy Restoration Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The former is designed to reduce the maintenance backlog, improve campgrounds and rebuild trails, while the latter focuses on conservation efforts.

"Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act, we have already seen tremendous impact on our ability to enhance visitor access and land conservation efforts through the Legacy Restoration Fund and Land and Water Conservation Fund projects," said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. "Repairing and enhancing the infrastructure on the national forests and grasslands and expanding forest conservation ensures that the Forest Service continues to meet the need for outdoor recreation for current and future generations."

Residents can check out an online map of all of the projects currently planned, underway or completed, including many within the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie, Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests.